Malines: The First Conversation 281

Halifax, however, was determined to publish, and A Call to
Reunion, on appearing, brought him at least as many com-
mendations as criticisms. Mercier, though much cumbered with
the business of his diocese, read the Introduction from end to
end.

I have thanked God for it from the bottom of my heart [he
wrote on September 2Gth]. ... I cannot delay by one day the
homage of my religious gratitude to you and my assurance that I
shall pray more urgently than ever for *the reunion of Christen-
dom.'30 '

He ended by suggesting the last week in October as a date
for the next meeting. Halifax, owing to an impending opera-
tion to his eyes, was unable to accept the invitation.

Had I been able [he wrote] to come to Malines as your Emin-
ence so kindly suggests, what I should have ventured to urge with
all the earnestness of which I am capable is that your Eminence
should have informed the Pope of all that has passed and has been
written, and brought before His Holiness the possibility of carry-
ing out what had been the first intention of Leo XIII, and to have
authorised the necessary steps to secure such conferences, perhaps
under the presidency of your Eminence, with Anglicans named by
the Archbishop of Canterbury, in order to consider the possibility
of taking such steps as might lead to the reconciliation of England
with Rome and the general reunion of Christendom.41

Some months ago [Mercier answered] I received, by an author-
ised but confidential voice, the assurance that our exchanges of
opinion were approved at the Vatican and that their continuance
would be viewed with favour. But, in accordance with your de-
clarations, repeated in your Introduction, I had represented our
three amiable visitors at Malines on the 6th-pth December, 1921,
as private persons, distinguished as was their position in England
and in the Church of England. Now I hope from your letter that
the Anglicans with whom we should be conversing next time
would be * Anglicans named by the Archbishop of Canterbury, in
order to consider, etc... .***